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The 36 Australasian judges have spoken. And what they've said relates to the Magazine Publishers Association (MPA) Magazine Awards and, particularly, the finalists. The soon-to-be-born publishing combinbation of HB Media and Tangible nabbed 38 finalist spots, Fairfax received 30 and NZ Magazines got 21. But a notable ommission from the finalist list is ACP. Chief executive Paul Dykzeul didn't enter the awards last year, mentioning something about gratuitous self-serving, industry back slapping. And, sadly, it's a no show again this year. Also absent from the finalist list is Mindfood magazine.

There were record numbers of entries in this, the 14th year of the awards, and entries included published work from over 65 different titles. Of these 52 different titles are represented in the finalist list and, of the 33 different businesses and independent journalists that entered, 25 of them qualified as finalists.

Entries that achieved scores of 75 percent or higher made it to the finals. And with the judges saying most of the entires were of high quality, they had a tough job choosing (you can download the full list of finalists by award and category List of Finalists Magazine Awards 2010). Judges did not have to elect a finalist in every category. In fact, they don't even have to award a winner, even when there is only one finalist in a category. Killjoys.

Two special supreme award winners (and the finalists) for supreme editor of the year and supreme magazine of the year will be announced at the gala presentation evening, which is to be held at the Grand Ballroom of Rendezvous Hotel, Auckland on Thursday 24 June, with MC Raybon Kan and other entertainers.

Tickets are $155 for a single, $300 for a double and $1,400 for a table of ten. And you can book your spot here.

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Why we like it: Spark's Santaline has been taking children's wish list requests for the past 24 years, but this year, there will be someone there to answer the phone rather than it going through to voicemail. As the ad explains, the helpers were required to have a jolly disposition and that's on display as the Metlifecare retirees wear festive accessories and take calls with a big smile. It's also lovely to watch as the two generations of children and elderly are connected through a shared love of Christmas.

Who's it for: Westpac by FCB Media

Why we like it: The ad breaks may be full of Christmas spots and the holiday is drawing closer, but that doesn't mean it's time to stop looking at serious topics like diversity in business. Westpac gets straight to the point in this video with the findings from a Deloitte study, commissioned by the bank, that asked businesses to share their thoughts on women in leadership. The video lets the numbers speak for themselves before Westpac shares its views about the value of women's skills and diversity in the workplace. Paired with a print takeover that saw only 29 percent of the New Zealand Herald printed (to represent the percentage of women business leaders in New Zealand), this campaign made us sit up and pay attention.

Who's it for: TSB

Why we like it: Christmas day might see children running to the tree with excitement about what lies beneath but that doesn't mean adults don't have wish lists too. In the spot, TSB explores what makes the best present in the world and the varied responses show it's not always something that can be wrapped up and placed under a tree. We particularly love how the father goes from new sheets for his bed to an around the world trip to show his son all the different cultures.

Who's it for:Trade Me by DDB

Why we like it: If your friend accidentally puts a sculpture head through your parents' glass coffee table, don't fret, Trade Me has you covered. The narrative of parents going away on holiday and leaving the house under the responsibility of their party-loving teenagers is not a new one, but Trade Me's put its own spin on it to show how its service can come in handy to replace anything that gets damaged—or in this case, destroyed.